Tommy Wirkola may have just finished the script for ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2’ but it looks like he is backing out from directing the sequel to his 2013 surprise hit. When it raked in $226 million at the box office a follow up seemed highly likely, even with the majority of it being from foreign sales. Considering that it had a $50 million budget it did quite well for having a January release which tends to be one of the slower going movie months.
I’m sure it didn’t hurt that the first film starred Jeremy Renner in the lead role. It might hurt the sequel though as they are still unsure if he’ll be available for when they want to film it.
While Wirkola won’t be around to direct, he will still be helping out with producing. So why exactly is he backing out? Well actually his reasoning seems pretty solid reason:
“I’ve just decided to not direct Hansel & Gretel 2. I have been lately attached to a few more things, it’s just a matter of time and priorities. I did ‘Dead Snow 1,’ then ‘Hansel & Gretel 1,’ and then ‘Dead Snow 2.’ I want to do something a little bit different now and not just do sequels. I did write the script and I hope to be involved in it. But yeah, I won’t be directing it.”
It isn’t every director that gets to write and create their own films and have enough interest for sequels, but I suppose I can understand why he may want a change of pace with a few years of working on mainly horror themed projects when he wants something different.
Hopefully Renner will be available for the sequel and they find another outstanding director to take the reigns.
What are your thoughts on the original film and the potential delay for the sequel?
Source: Collider
